The North York Moors National Park is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places to visit in the UK. It makes us think of sweeping moors, quaint villages, stunning coastlines, and places that showcase the true majesty of Mother Nature. One of our favourite spots in the North York Moors is Dalby Forest, a place that combines thrilling adventures, relaxation, and breathtaking Yorkshire countryside.
Dalby Forest has over 8,500 acres to walk, run, cycle, and admire those incredible views! It is the perfect day out for lone adventurers, couples wanting a peaceful walk, kids after some outdoor fun, or those seeking more high-adrenaline action. There is also an abundance of important and fascinating wildlife species that you can spot as you roam through the deep woods.
Here’s What You Can Do at Dalby Forest
Cycling and Mountain Biking
It doesn’t matter if it is your first time on a bike or you are an experienced rider who is used to shredding through trails, you will love Dalby Forest. You will find graded trails for different abilities, from the family-friendly Adderstone Cycle Trail to the highly challenging UCI World Cup Trail.
Adventure Play Areas and the Gruffalo
If you are bringing the little ones, there are plenty of places for play and have fun in Dalby Forest. There’s the Grandfather Oak play area where they can climb, swing, and hide, surrounded by the beautiful forest. For the really little ones, there is a toddler play zone which has sensory elements, wide bridges, and lots of woodland critters to spot.
Also, if you venture into the woods, you may come across the Gruffalo and his friends. You can search the forest to spot these brilliant, unique wooden sculptures. The question is – will you find them all?
Walking
Is there anything more relaxing than a walk in the countryside? Well, Dalby Forest has some of the county’s best walking routes. As mentioned previously, you have over 8,500 acres to discover, with plenty of chances to escape into nature. Like the cycling routes, there are trails for all abilities and needs. There are easy strolls, family-friendly routes through the forest, accessible trails, and challenging routes for those looking for serious adventure.
Horse Riding
We’re sure you can already picture yourself riding through the forest on your beloved horse, while you both enjoy the incredible surroundings and fresh air. Dalby Forest provides incredible horse riding trails that will take you through the woods, alongside streams, and across stunning open heathland. So, saddle up and get out into nature.
Go Ape
O-EE-O-EE-O! Fancy releasing your inner Tarzan? Well, Go Ape at Dalby Forest lets you have a rip-roaring day in the trees. It caters for different ages and fear factors! If you are feeling brave, you can do the nerve-wracking Treetop Challenge or the more gentle and kids-focused Treetop Adventure. If you see yourself whizzing through the forest, you can do the Zip Trekking Adventure, a fast-paced 3km zip-wire experience offering the most incredible views.
Segway
If you want to stay a little closer to the ground, you can glide through Dalby Forest on an all-terrain electric Segway. You can discover the trails with plenty of twists, turns, and lots of fun.
Stargazing
Dalby Forest has a designated Dark Sky Discover Site where you can see the wonders of outer space – stars, nebulae, galaxies, and planets. Back in 2013, the forest was awarded the ‘Milky Way’ class Dark Sky Discover Status. This means it is officially one of the best places in the UK for stargazing. More recently, the North York Moors National Park was awarded Dark Sky Reserve status in 2020, meaning the area has one of the lowest levels of light pollution.
So if you are fascinated by outer space, then Dalby Forest is the perfect place to look up and discover the marvels of the night sky.
Refuel at the Forest Cafes
There are two fantastic places in Dalby Forest where you can refuel after a day of adventuring. In the Low Dalby area, you will find The Dalby Forest Cafe and Courtyard Cafe. They both offer a great selection of food and drinks, including cakes, soups, sandwiches, ice cream, soft drinks, and coffee. As you sit and enjoy your refreshments, you can take in the wonderful views of the surrounding forest.
Courtyard Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm. On Saturdays and Sundays it is open from 9am to 3pm. Dalby Forest Cafe is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
So, discover the beauty, adventure, and relaxation of Dalby Forest in the stunning North York Moors this autumn. You will find Dalby Forest: Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering, YO18 7LT. For more information about visiting, check out the website here.
Read More: 12 Of The Best And Most Scenic Forest Walks In Yorkshire
